Fountain-pen



(No Model.)

W. W. STEWART.

FOUNTAIN PEN.

Patented Aug. 9, 1892.

INVENTOR:

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WILLIAM IY. STEWART, OF BROOKLYN, NEV YORK.

FOUNTAIN-PEN.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 480,294, dated August 9, 1892.

Application iled February 26,1890. Serial No. 341,822. (No model.)

To all whom t may concern.-

Be it kn own that I, WILLIAM W. STEWART, a citizen of the United States, residing in Brooklyn, in the county of Kings and State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Fountain-Pens, of

which the following is a specification.

This invention relates to that class of fountain-pens and stylographic-pens wherein the pen is divided into two compartments or chambers, the one constituting the ink-reservoir and formed in the penholder or handle proper and the other constituting the feeding-chamber, in which the heel of the pen is inserted and which contains the various conductors, capillary conduits, and irritants required to successfully effect the feeding of the ink to the pen and the passage of the outer air into the reservoir to take the place of the ink as the latter is fed to the pen. These two compartments will hereinafter be termed the ink-reservoir and the condensation-chamber, respectively. In fountain-pens of this class, as heretofore constructed, it has been usual to connect the inkreservoir and condensation-chamber directly together and to interpose some suitable obstacle between the two to serve as a partition to prevent the sudden flow of the ink from the reservoir into the condensation-chamber. ln pens so constructed it is found that a sudden shock-such as the accidental jolting ofthe pen-has forced the ink past the obstructions and caused it to drop from the end of the pen.

The present invention is designed to provide means whereby the communication between the ink-reservoir and the condensationchamber can be controlled at will, and to also improve the operation of the pen during use, and render its action more certain.

To this end in carrying out my invention I construct a suitable valve between the conare similar sections illustrating each a sepaA rate modified construction.

The holderA may be of any usual construction, so as to form a hollow space or chamber B within its handle portion constituting the ink-reservoir. The usual nozzle C, within which is held the pen-nib D, is screwed or otherwise fastened into the lower portion of the holder. Between the pen-nib and the reservoir is a space, chamber, duct, or passage E, which I will designate the condensingchamber, because in this chamber or space the downflowing ink and the ascending air pass each other and become mingled or condensed in the form of foam, froth, or iluis. By suitably confining or obstructingthe flow of ink or air this froth or film is made to serve as a means for regulating the flow of ink to the pen nib. Heretofore fixed obstructions having capillary openings or interstices between them have beeninterposed between the ink-reservoir and the pen -nib. Yhen intervening condensing-chambers have been used, these obstructions have been interposed between the condensing-chamber and the ink-reservoir, and also in some cases additional obstructions have been interposed between the condensing-chamberand the pennib. Capillary passages or ducts and polished or glazed surfaces or irritants have been variously employed for governing, accelerating, or retarding the [low of the ink and air in order to produce the desired result.

According to my present invention I construct the penliolder with an obstruction between the condensing-chamber and ink-reservoir, consisting of a stopper or valve F, which may be more or less closed or seated in order to govern or cut off the flow of the ink and air. This stopper or valve is constructed to be operated manually from the exterior of the holder, so that the user may determine at will the rapidity of flow or may shut off the flow and prevent the possibility of leakage of the ink when the pen is not in use. To enable this valve to be thus manually controlled it is constructed with a stem or rod passing out of the holder, preferably either at the upper or lower end thereof, so that it may be grasped and moved by the operator. Preferably this stem a passes out IOO through a stufting-box b in the cap or plug c, which closes the upper end of theholder and has fastened on its end a screw-cap d, having threads engaging threads e on some part of the plug c or other portion of the holder, as shown in Fig. l. By turning the cap d it is screwed up or down and the rod a and valve F are consequently moved spirally, thus bringing the valve closer to or farther from its seat. In the construction shown in Fig. 1 the seat of the valve is constituted by the upper end of a plug G, which isinserted within the nozzle C and constitutes the means by which the pen-nib D is fastened into the nozzle. The condensing -chamber E is a narrow space formed by cutting a saw-kerf in the plug G. The plug is so shaped that this saw-kerf eX- tends entirely through it at the portion f, which constitutes a duct leading down to the pen-nib, and which duct is thus open to the outer air so that air may enter it, and by being formed into minute bubbles or froth may be gradually passed .upwardly through the :narrow slit. Directly beneath the pen-nib the plug is hollowed out to form a spoonshaped cavity g for holdinga small supply of ink against the pen. The valve or stopperF as it closes enters partly within the tubular portion h of the upper end of the nozzle C,

which is but slightly larger than the valve, so that it thus forms a contracted annular space around the stopper, through which space alone communication exists between the condensing-chamber and the ink-reservoir. The face of the valve is fiatin order to be seated against the fiat upper end of the plug G, and it is preferably faced with some soft material r'--such as india-rubber--in order that when screwed tight against the seat itshall make a close joint therewith and absolutely prevent the passage of any ink.

Within the inkreservoir is arranged a strand, rod, or wire H, which I term an irritant or repellant and which may be of permeable material, so as to be soaked, or of impermeable material, so as to attract to itself the fluid constituent of the ink. This strand or irritant is arranged longitudinally within the ink-reservoir and is preferably fastened at its upper portion, leaving its lower end free, so that it may vibrate. The irritant should be of elastic material to allow such vibration. It is preferably made of a piece of wire, polished gold wire being the best. Its lower or vibrating end is best arranged close above the valve F, and in order to maintain it in the same relative position to the valve as the latter is adjusted up or down it is preferably fastened to the valvestem a, as clearly shown in Fig. 1. It might, however, be fastened to the plug c, as shown at 7' in Fig. 2. By fastening it to the valvestem it iscaused,upon the rotation of the latter, to sweep around within the ink-reservoir and agtate the ink therein, thereby contributing to prevent the formation of sediment. Its principal function is to provide a wet line,

along which the flow of the ink and air shall be directed, thereby facilitating their movement after the air reaches the reservoir.

In the construction shown in Fig. l the chamber E, being a capillary slit, constitutes, with its extended portion f, a capillary conduit or passage for leading the ink to the penholder. The under surface of the pen-nib comes against and closes the upper side of this slit and constitutes a polished metal line, which leads the ink to flow along the pen, while the entering bubbles or froth of air pass up through the opposite side of the passage f beneath. The nozzle C is constructed, as heretofore in my pens, with what I call a tubular extension la, which at a little distance surrounds the pen-nib, but preferably without touching it, thereby inclosing around the pen-nib and plug a quantity of partiallymoistened air and serving, also, to prevent the flow of the ink onto the exterior of the nozzle, where it would soil the fingers.

'Ihe pen-nib D may be held in the holder in any way heretofore known. In Fig. I itis shown as being clamped between the interior of the nozzle C and the exterior of the plug G. In Fig. 2 its shank is pressed' into the opening or bore in the nozzle, so as to be held tightly thereby, while leaving spaces above and below its shank, so as to form capillarychannels f f2 on the opposite sides thereof. A wire or duct Z is arranged against the pen and extends around its heel, being bent underneath it to nearly fill the bore or throat of the nozzle. This is a construction that I have heretofore used in prior pens.

In Fig. 3 the plug G is made tubular, slitted on its upper side against the pen, atf, and with the bore of the tube communicating at its upper end with the condensing-chamber E. The wire Z is carried around the heel of the pen and extends down over it, its upper end being bent into the bore in the tubular plug G. In this ligure is shown a modification of the means for operating the valve F. The valve F here consists of a solid disk having peripheral projections frictionally engaging the interior walls of the holder and retaining it in position, the ink flowing through the spaces between these projections, while the nozzle C is constructed to screw into the lower end of the holder and to be passed up therein to a greater or less distance, so that the seat h', formed by the bore end of the nozzle, is brought closer to or farther from the valve or plug F. Thus the flow may be regulated or cut off by screwing the vnozzle C up or down. The stem a of this valve is, when used, fixed to the bore end or head c of the holder.

In the use of my improved fountain-pen the general action of the ink and air in circulating past each other, the ink flowing into the pin-nib while the air ascends into the reservoir to take its place, is much the same as in previous pens. In this, as in all other fountain-pens, which are ordinarily made of hard IOC rubber, it is necessary for the interior of the holder to become soaked with ink before the pen commences to operate properly. When the rubber is dry and the ink is first introduced the surfaces of the rubber do not at once absorb the ink and are not wetted thereby, but remain for a little time to all intents dry, notwithstanding the presence of the ink,

so that they exert no capillary attraction therefor and the ink does not adhere to them and its flow is not regulated by them, as is essential; but after the surfaces of the hard rubber become soaked with the ink, so as to displace all the air and reduce it to the condition of froth or film, the normal a'ction of tho holder commences. The effect of the stopper or valve F is thus to retard the movement of the ink and lair between the reservoir and condensing-chamber, and to graduate the freedom of flow of the ink to the pen by the adjustment of the valve toward or from its seat. If the ink Hows too freely the user should move the valve nearer to its seat, and vice versa.

Vhen the pen is not in use, but is to be put away in the pocket or in a trunk or drawer,

it is desirable that the flow of ink to the penpoint should be cut off, as otherwise there is liability that a sudden jar or concussion or the expansion of the air in the reservoir through heat will cause the ink to exude or drop from the holder. My invention provides the means for avoiding this by closing the valve F against its seat whenever the pen is out of use and is put away. This operation in the preferred construction is performed instantaneously by the twisting motion of the screw-cap d. When the pen is to be used again,the capis twisted in the opposite direction and it is at once ready for use. Before closing the valve the penholder should be inverted or turned with the pen-nibD uppermost and held so for an instant, in order that any free ink in the condensing-chamber E may flow past the valve into the reservoir B, whereupon the valve F is closed.

WhatIclaimis the following defined novel features and combinations, substantially as hereinbefore set forth, namely:

l. In a fountain-pen, the c0mbination,with the ink-reservoir and a condensing-chamber connecting therewith and in communication with the pen, of a valve between said reservoir and chamber constructed to close communication between the latter when seated and to open communication between the latwithin said reservoir, said strand constructed with one of its ends free and in proximity to said valve, whereby it can vibrate relatively thereto, and extendingr thence upwardly within said reservoir substantially parallel with its axis. f

- 2. In a fountain-pen, the combination, with the holder constructed with an ink-reservoir and a condensing chamber in connection therewith and with the pen, said chamber constructed with capillary conduits and conductors for effectinga passage of ink and air therein and with a valve-seat in its upper portion, of a valve within said reservoir for controlling communication between the latter and said chamber and constructed with a stem extending longitudinally of said reservoir and projecting through the upper end thereof, a handle secured to the outer end of said stem, a screw connection between said handle and holder, and a strand or irritant H within said reservoir projecting longitudinally of said res-.

ervoir and terminating in proximity to said valve and constructed with its end in proximity to said valve free to vibrate.

3. In a fountain-pen, the combination, with the holder constructed with an ink-reservoir and a condensingchamber in connection therewith and with the pen, said chamber constructed with capillary conduits and conductors for effecting a passage of ink and air therein and with a valve-seatin its upper portion, of a valve within said reservoir for controlling communication between the latter and said chamber and constructed with a stem extending longitudinally of said reservoir and projecting through the upper end thereof, a handle secured to the outer end of said stem, a screw connection between said handle and holder, and a strand or irritant within said reservoir and connected at its upper end to said stem and projecting thence longitudinally of said reservoir and terminating in proximity to said valve and so constructed that its end in proximity to said valve is free to vibrate, whereby when said valve is moved by rotating its handle said irritant is moved therewith, thereby maintaining its relative position thereto.

In witness whereof I have hereunto signed my name in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

WILLIAM IV. STE VART.

Witnesses:

GEORG-E H. FRASER,

IOO 

